Accused dog fighting ringleader in custody

Twenty-five dogs were found living in "deplorable" conditions at a trailer in rural Hinds County outside Utica Tuesday night.

Chief Deputy Chris Picou said a tip led animal control officers to the residence at 4180 Old Adams Station Road.

HINDS COUNTY, MS (Mississippi News Now) -

The Hinds County Sheriff's Office took a man accused of running a dog fighting and breeding operation into custody Wednesday evening. Donald Williams, 49, was named as the suspect in the case Tuesday night after deputies confiscated 25 dogs.

Williams is facing 25 counts of cruelty to animals and also a felony dog fighting charge, according to Chief Deputy Chris Picou.

The Hinds County Sheriff's Office and the Mississippi Animal Rescue League worked Wednesday to remove the remaining dogs from the rural area of Hinds County outside Utica where they were founds chained up in "deplorable" conditions.

Sheriff's office officials say the dogs, believed to be pit bulls, were "extremely aggressive" and beat up. One even ate through the plastic carrier it was being transported in. Some of the dogs had to be tranquilized before they were taken to MARL. Executive Director of MARL Deborah Boswell said the dogs will be humanely euthanized.

Picou said a tip led animal control officers to the residence at 4180 Old Adams Station Road. After obtaining a search warrant, deputies discovered the dogs. Picou said there was also other paraphernalia, including books for buying and selling dogs at the scene.